Chapter 17: The Battle

The wind smelt of blood.  

Derek remained tense at Redwater's northern boundary, his sharp gaze examining the treetops. The night was heavy with the sharp scent of an impending battle, and the atmosphere buzzed with tension. He had twelve of his fighters lined up behind him, all ready for combat. 

They were the mercenaries.  

With my heart thumping my ribs, I hunkered down behind a downed tree. I narrowly avoided death the last time I was in an ambush. However, this was a siege, not merely an ambush.  

They were pursuing me, too.  

Derek spoke in a sharp, low voice. "They're putting our strength to the test."  

A wolf then sprang through the trees and came directly at him. Derek did not recoil. He caught the rogue mid-lunge with a quick, well-practised move, twisting its neck with a sickening crack and throwing the dead body to the side.  

Then, the actual assault started.  

Emerging from the darkness, the foe advanced, a flood of unruly wolves and hired fighters flowing like a chaotic wave into Redwater's fortifications. Metal met metal as claws struck, wolf growls blending with the cries of men on the verge of death. 

I grasped the stolen knife, my palms slick with sweat. I understood the reality—I was the cause of this assault occurring—but I still wished to battle, to defend the pack that had offered me a second opportunity. The deaths of Redwater's fighters would be in vain if they succeeded in capturing me. 

"Claire!" Derek's voice pierced through the turmoil. 

A soldier for hire charged at me, his blade sweeping through the air, and I moved just in time. The knife made a slight gash on my shoulder, and I hardly had a moment to leap backwards. I lacked the time to reflect on the pain that arose. I was ready when he struck again. I crouched and thrust the knife into his unprotected side. 

His eyes widened as he choked, and then he passed out.  

I didn't have time to rest. With its yellow eyes fixed on my throat, another rogue wolf lunged towards me. A huge blur of fur slammed into it before I could move.  

Derek.  

Larger than any other wolf on the battlefield, his jet-black wolf form was a terrifying sight. Like it was nothing, he ripped through the rogue, causing its dead body to fall to the ground.  

Even in his wolf form, his voice was deep as he growled, "Stay close to me!"  

I refrained from arguing.  

We fought alongside each other. Another mercenary replaced each one that fell. As though they had researched Redwater's vulnerabilities, the enemy was unrelenting, and their attacks were accurate.  

Then, a new figure appeared from the tree line.  

A female.  

Lila.  

Her long crimson cloak billowed in the wind as she stood with a spooky sense of confidence. As she observed the carnage in front of her, a ruthless grin appeared on her lips.  

"Enough games," she demanded. She spoke in a humorous tone, but there was something darker burning in her eyes. "Let the rest of you live, and give me Claire."  

The battle slowed. While they waited for orders, the mercenaries paused. Even the outlaws retreated a little, their snarls becoming impatient growls.  

Derek reverted to his human form, his face unreadable but his breathing laboured. "You believe that you can simply enter here and make demands?" He spoke in an icy tone.  

Lila pretended to think about what he had said as she cocked her head. "I doubt it. I am aware.  

With a wave of her hand, additional figures emerged, archers positioned along the ridge, their silver-tipped arrows sparkling. 

I felt nauseous. 

This was beyond merely an attack. This was an imminent massacre. 

Derek clenched his jaw. Despite the presence of more people than he had, I knew him sufficiently to notice the wheels turning in his mind. He wasn't a yielding Alpha, but he also wasn't reckless. 

Before I could prevent myself, I moved a step ahead. 

I shouted, injecting firmness into my tone, "You're wasting your time, Lila." "I’m staying right here with you." 

She had an amusing expression in her eyes. "Oh, Claire." You're still uncertain, aren't you? She moved ahead slowly, her fingers brushing the dagger's handle at her side. "This was never centred around your wishes." It has not occurred ever. 

Derek swiftly extended his hand and seized my wrist, apparently to stop me from erring. "Ignore her," he murmured. 

However, I was already.  

Because I knew in my heart that she was correct.  

And I was afraid of that.

Derek gripped my wrist more firmly as if he could feel my resolve wavering, but I stayed resolute and boldly looked into Lila's eyes. 

The only noises remaining on the battlefield were the crackling flames from a dropped torch and the far-off growls of wild wolves. A lethal silence filled the air as each warrior, mercenary, and rogue wolf anticipated the next action. 

Derek's fighters moved uncomfortably, their bodies stiff and prepared for battle. Though outnumbered, they refused to give up easily. I sensed their unspoken resolve to defend Redwater at all costs and their devotion to their Alpha.  

Lila's smile grew as she approached with slow, methodical steps. Claire, if you come voluntarily, I'll spare them. You already know what happens to people who oppose me, so don't defy me."  

My blood froze. I had personally witnessed Lila's abilities. She was cruel, cunning, and manipulative, in addition to being ruthless.  

I looked at Derek, who had anger blazing in his golden eyes. I had to fight him to get him to let me go. However, that was precisely what Lila desired. She had this planned, cornered us, and prevented us from getting away.  

I balled my fists up.  

I wouldn't allow myself to cause Redwater to suffer.  

Derek's hold on me must have tightened when he noticed a change in my expression. "Don’t even think about it," he said in a low, menacing voice.  

With my heart thumping my ribs, I muttered, "You don't get to make that choice for me."  

"I don't." His body shifted closer to mine, protecting me as if he could physically prevent me from making a mistake, but his eyes never left Lila. "I swear, Claire, if you move in her direction—"  

An arrow whistled through the air before he could say anything more.  

It all happened in a flash.  

The silver-tipped arrow hit the ground inches from my feet, sending up a burst of dirt and sparks, and Derek pushed me behind him. A warning shot.  

Again, chaos broke out.  

In quick succession, the archers fired, scattering Derek's warriors. The rogues charged ahead, taking advantage of the distraction to attack once more.  

With a sudden movement, Derek's enormous black wolf slammed into the closest mercenary, its claws tearing through flesh and armour. Steel on steel, claws digging into bodies, warriors clashed. The smell of blood thickened the air.  

I felt a hand grab my arm.  

The assailant grabbed my wrist and squeezed until my fingers went numb as I twisted, aiming my knife at his throat.  

The mercenary sneered, "Easy now," and pulled me forward. "I don't want to damage Lila's prize—"  

His sentence was never completed.  

With a sickening crunch, Derek's wolf slammed into him and sent him flying backwards. I lost my equilibrium due to the force and struck the ground with force.  

I scrambled up, my eyes darting across the battlefield despite the pain shooting through my side. Despite Redwater's warriors' valiant efforts, the sheer volume of adversaries was too much to handle.  

Then, I caught sight of Lila.  

She remained unharmed at the battle's edge, staring into my eyes. She was grinning as well.  

I realised then that winning the battle wasn't the goal.  

I was the subject of this.  

Tonight, Lila had no intention of taking Redwater. She aimed to weaken us, break us, and make me give up. She would also set everything on fire until I had no other option if I didn't leave voluntarily.  

Derek was correct.  

I couldn't allow her to prevail.  

I turned on my heel and gritted my teeth, looking for a gap. If only I could cross the warrior line and reach the inner territory, I could—  

My side exploded with a sharp pain.  

As the warmth spread beneath my ribs, I gasped and staggered forward. A blade.  

A rogue was removing his knife from my side, his face contorted with satisfaction, as I turned just in time.  

The battlefield shook with Derek's roar.  

My vision tunnelled as blood soaked my tunic as I struck the ground hard. Sounds faded in and out as the world became blurry.  

Derek was running at me, his eyes blazing with rage, when I last saw him.  

Then there was darkness.